Top Performers: City of Palms Classic (Day 4 – Part 1)

Day 4 featured seven games on Thursday including two semifinal tilts between Pennsylvania Imhotep vs. University and IMG vs. Alabama Mountain Brook.

Here are the results:

Vashon 85, Osceola 76

Miami Christian 96, South Carolina Gray Collegiate 80

Wisconsin La Crosse Central 70, Georgia Brunswick 57

Palmetto 60, Lakeland 52

Mississippi Petal 78, New York Glens Falls 56

Pennsylvania Imhotep 57, University 54

Alabama Mountain Brook 72, IMG 67

Now a look at Part 1 of the top performers on a busy Day 4.

Diego Rivera & Algenis Quintana (Miami Christian)

This was a very focused and pumped up Miami Christian team we saw on Thursday. After losing handily to Georgia powerhouse McEachern group on Tuesday, the Victors doubled up its point total from 48 to 96 in a win over Gray Collegiate. 2019 guard Diego Rivera was smart with the ball and solid all afternoon with a 22-point game (10-of-10 from the free throw line and 5-of-12 from the field). As a team, Miami Christian shot 61.2 percent and 91.3 percent from the free throw line (21-of-23). 2019 guard Algenis Quintana put a full effort in with 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists (4-of-5 from the field, 6-of-6 from the free throw line).

“It is going to help us in future games because we know what everyone has to do in our roles,” Rivera told Prep Hoops. “We had five guys in double figures. I think in the next game everyone will go harder.”

Scottie Barnes & Vernon Carey Jr. (University)

Trailing 35-18 with 2:15 left in the third quarter, 2020 guard Scottie Barnes sparked his side and really did it all to bring his team back with 11 straight points. It turned out to not be enough but Barnes kept his side in it with 21 points and nine rebounds. He had a chance to tie it down 55-53 but he missed the second free throw attempt and then fouled out moments later. 2019 Duke commit Vernon Carey Jr. found himself in foul trouble early. but still managed 24 points and 13 rebounds which included 14-of-17 from the free throw line. The defending tournament champion Sharks have been dethroned.

Tommy Brunner & Chase McDuffie (South Carolina Gray Collegiate)

In the back and forth up-tempo game against Miami Christian 2019 guard Tommy Bruner (28 points) and 2021 guard Chase McDuffie (19 points) each found room to run. Bruner was efficient as always, connecting on 11-of-17 from the field and serving as a fluid attacker. McDuffie was asked to do a lot from deep (4-of-9) and he was superb at times especially on the break. I really liked how 2019 guard Khalil Robinson fought all game as well (11 points).

Phillip Russell, Cam’ron Fletcher & Mario McKinney (Missouri Vashon)

Alongside 2019 Missouri commit Mario McKinney (13 points and 10 rebounds), two Vashon players reached the 20-point mark. 2020 starters, guard Phillip Russell shot well (9-of-12 from the field, 5-of-7 from 3-point land) to end up with 28 points. He made plays early and often. 2020 forward Cam’ron Fletcher also created, but down low to add 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting.

Josh Marte & Isaiah Palermo (Osceola)

The second half push by Osceola was sparked by 2019 leaders Josh Marte and Isaiah Palermo. Marte, a Bethune Cookman hurt his right knee near the end of the game and limped off the court afterward. He recorded 24 points as he constantly attacked and took chances as he always does. Palermo came on in the third quarter and never looked back to finish with 19 points and five rebounds. He shot 7-of-10 from the field.

Kentron Poitier (Palmetto)

Generating high major offers for his football talent, 2020 guard Kentron Poitier is a strong and bouncy player on the basketball court. He led Palmetto with 14 points on 4-of-0 shooting from the field. He attacked, hitting 6-of-7 free throws on the day. 2020 guard Martin Mercedes also pitched in with 11 points. 2019 guys Alex Rodriguez and Josmel Martinez and 2019 guard Jorden Lopez each scored eight points.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Armando Bacot & Jaden Springer (IMG)

In a night full of upsets, IMG fell to Mountain Brook just hours after University was knocked off by Imhotep. 2019 forwards Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Villanova signee) had 18 points, Armando Bacot (UNC signee) had 13 points and 2020 guard Jaden Springer had 14 points. The Ascenders fell behind early, fought back, but Mountain Brook wanted it more and looked ready to fight.